Rare burns tied to muscle, joint pain busters: FDA

(Reuters) - The U.S. health regulator alerted patients on Thursday to rare cases of chemical burns from using over-the-counter muscle and joint pain relievers, including creams, lotions, ointments and patches.

The products that contain menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin - including big brands such as Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, Icy Hot and Mentholatum - were found to cause first- to third-degree burns in rare cases.

Second- and third-degree burns occurred with the use of products that had menthol as the single active ingredient, the U.S Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

Products containing both menthol and methyl salicylate, in concentrations greater than three percent menthol and 10 percent methyl salicylate, also caused severe burns, the agency added.

Over the years, the FDA recorded 43 cases of burns related to these products, but said studies indicate the products do not need a warning in their label about the burns.